September 25, 2002	Wednesday	Rajab 17, 1423

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MUZAFFARABAD, Sept 24: Kashmir’s dominant fighter group, Hizbul Mujahideen, said on Tuesday that the people’s response to the second phase of the so-called polls in the occupied Kashmir had made it clear to the world that the Kashmiris wanted UN-sponsored plebiscite to determine their future.

“Despite massive rigging and false claims by India, it has become crystal clear to the world community that the people of Kashmir want their basic right (to self-determination) and not any kind of elections,” said the Hizb’s supreme commander, Syed Salahuddin, in a statement.

Praising the Kashmiris for boycotting the second phase of the sham polls, he said they had no interest in the change of government or faces in the occupied territory as the focus of their struggle was to achieve the right pledged to them by the United Nations.

He called upon the world powers, particularly the United States, not to fall prey to India’s misleading propaganda.

“The international community must keep a watchful eye on the situation and respect the sentiments of the Kashmiris by supporting their right to self-determination.”

The Hizb leader said that if the US wanted to establish peace in the South Asian region, it would have to peacefully resolve the Kashmir issue in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiris. “The so-called elections do not provide any base for the settlement of the issue. Therefore, instead of emphasizing for the same, the US should keep in view the wishes of the Kashmiris.”

RALLY: Around 300 people staged a rally here on Tuesday to condemn the sham polls in the occupied Kashmir.

The rally, which coincided with the second phase of the polls, was held at the Officers Club Ground off Bank Road and its participants, included workers of the ruling Muslim Conference, the main opposition People’s Party and the Jamaat-i-Islami.

MC Chief Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan warned that elections in the occupied Kashmir would aggravate the situation. India, he said, should take steps to resolve the issue amicably.